Most people deal with stress in their daily lives, but it seems that the pressure on high school students in recent years has skyrocketed, damaging their mental and physical health.
The expectation to be involved with clubs and organizations, participate in sports and maintain a social life, while still performing academically is impossible for most to accomplish without sacrificing parts of their well being. Making this sacrifice has become the norm, as college acceptance rates drop every year, and no resume seems to be impressive enough.
“I think students end up sacrificing their health - both mental and physical - to keep up. We hear again and again about being a well rounded student - so the reality is that in order to balance a sport, maybe a music or art pursuit, a leadership role, a work experience, a volunteer/ community service commitment, plus to maintain high grades in rigorous courses - students are absolutely wearing themselves OUT to squeeze it all in,” NHS College and Career Center coordinator Brandy Jacobs said.
Along with top schools becoming more exclusive, they are becoming more expensive as well, putting a heavy financial burden on students and their families. For many, this means working a part time job to save money, adding even more onto already packed schedules. It is common for older students to leave their houses extra early in the morning to make a club meeting before school, and not return home till late at night after they have gone to practice, and worked a closing shift at their job. Each day being so packed is not only stressful mentally, but physically as well, as teenagers trade sleep out for homework, and struggle to find the time to eat a full meal during the day.
“I feel like sometimes, it is expected that you are just able to handle everything. Then when you're not, it's kinda looked down upon and burnout comes really easy. With school I feel like if you are a good student you are expected to do more, and teachers often hold “good students” to a higher, an almost unrealistic standard. I also dance, and notice the same thing with that, with this very high standard comes burnout, so if i'm ever not busy, I feel like I am doing something wrong,” NHS senior Lillian Caico said.
The pressure begins even in the early years of high school, as freshmen are set up to be preparing for college at all times. Students are encouraged into activities that objectively look good on a resume, rather than being given the space to find themselves, and their passions.
“Sometimes when things get really stressful, it feels like they will never end. People set very high expectations for you, even if you might not be ready for them yet,” NHS freshman Libby Miller said.
When it comes time for seniors to work on their college applications, it seems as though people cannot help but compare themselves to others, and nobody feels all that proud of their application by the time they press submit.
“I was stressed about college applications, and I thought it would be over after that, but now I am stressed waiting on decisions. I know people are hearing back from schools, which is stressing me out more and making me feel like I did something wrong in my applications, or didn't do enough for colleges to accept me,” NHS senior Caleigh Prieto said.
Many schools are now working to stop this toxic stress culture, by implementing more mental health and college help services. NHS Counselor workshop classes work to talk students through the college process, while still advocating for other paths after high school. The College and Career Center works with a similar motivation, and is open not only to seniors, but anyone who is looking for support regarding their future plans.
Comments